6 Things I Wish I Would Have Known Before My C-section
Many mamas-to-be feel like they don’t have all of the information they need to properly prepare for their C-section birth and recovery. Your doctor will provide you with the basics you need for a successful surgery and incision care — but having had three C-sections myself, I know there’s more to it than that.
Here are the six things I wish I knew before my first C-section that can help you create the birthing experience you want, adequately prepare, and have a successful physical (and mental) recovery.
It’s okay to need help
A C-section is a major surgery and recovery is no joke.
You shouldn’t lift anything heavier than your baby (or about 10 pounds) for two weeks, so you’re going to need help getting through your day-to-day life.
If you’re a first time mama, taking care of a newborn is a huge adjustment. It can be hard to find time to take care of yourself — which you’ll need in order to heal properly.
Ask your partner, friend, family member or neighbor to:
Watch your babe while you shower or nap
Pick up groceries for you (or have them delivered!)
Help clean your house
Babysit toddlers
Having the help you need means less stress on you mentally and physically, which means more time for healing — so don’t be afraid to ask for and accept it.
2. A little bit of prep goes a long way
Expecting and Empowered C-section Recovery Box
We get it — there’s a lot to think about when prepping for birth. But having the right supplies ready can really set you up for success with your recovery.
We recommend stocking up on the following:
Pads. Yes, you’ll still have bleeding even if you don’t give birth vaginally.
Peri bottle. To clean your perineum.
Silicone Scar pads. An evidence-based way to prevent raised scars and keloids.
Ice packs and NSAIDs. To reduce pain and swelling.
Half foam roller. To get the area moving.
Compression pants or undies. We love Baobei.
Our C-section recovery box will gives you a huge head start on this pre-birth prep — check out everything it includes and buy it online here.
3. You still have some control over your birthing experience
Some mamas think they don’t have much control over what happens during a C-section birth. And while that’s true to an extent (there is a surgical team leading the charge), there are a few ways you can make it really feel like your birth:
Ask to be the first one to hold your baby. If your birth is complication-free, you should be able to hold your baby right after giving birth. This is an amazing way to get skin-to-skin contact with your new babe.
Consider using a clear drape. If you’re up for watching the entire experience, you can ask your medical team to use a clear drape so you can see everything that’s going on. If that sounds like too much, you can ask them to use a clear drape for part of it and an opaque one for the rest.
Communicate! Ask your medical team for a play-by-play of the birth so you know what’s happening throughout the entire birth. You should also plan on communicating with your partner/friends/family and even your anesthesiologist to make sure you feel good and everything is going to plan.
Ask your doctor about your scar’s appearance. You don’t have total control of what your C-section scar will look like, but it can be worth chatting with your surgical team beforehand to let them know you’re concerned. I did this in my second pregnancy and it really paid off — my scar’s appearance was much better than my first.
4. You should absolutely take your pain meds
After my first C-section, I didn’t take my pain meds after the first day and I really regretted it. I was in so much pain.
And while some people think they can get by without it, research actually shows that inadequate pain management after a C-section actually increases the need for opioids, slows down recovery, and increases your risk of chronic pain and postpartum depression.
So talk to your physician about the best plan for you and follow that plan. You won’t regret it.
5. Movement during pregnancy can help
There isn’t much research that investigates how exercise impacts C-section recovery specifically, but prenatal exercise is associated with a bunch of different health benefits, including decreased postpartum recovery time in general.
Prenatal exercise is generally considered pretty safe — though you’ll need to make some modifications to protect your baby and your changing body.
Our Expecting and Empowered App walks you through pregnancy-safe exercise routines for each week of your pregnancy. Not only will it help keep your body strong and mobile for pregnancy, it’ll also prep you for the postpartum period. (And don’t worry, you can get started whenever — even if you’re already in your third trimester).
6. How you move when you’re recovering is SUPER important
After a C-section, every movement becomes more painful. This includes activities of daily living (like getting in and out of bed, standing up from a chair or pooping) and new mom activities (like breastfeeding).
Before having a C-section, I didn’t realize how my movement needed to change to accommodate my recovery. It’s important to know how to do these things properly so that you don’t increase your pain levels or interfere with your C-section scar’s healing.
Learning about these modifications while you’re still pregnant will have you ready to go after giving birth:
Getting in and out of bed: A technique called logrolling will reduce tension on your healing incision and prevent excess pain.
Getting in and out of a chair: Nose over toes! Make sure you’re hinging at your hips and leaning forward to stand up and sit down.
Proper breastfeeding posture: Set yourself up for success and reduce tension on your healing body.
Gentle movements: Movement is important, but make sure you’re not overdoing it. Our Expecting and Empowered App has a week-by-week exercise program designed specifically for mamas who’ve had C-sections.
We get it. Going into a major surgery without the right prep is scary. But with our tips and the right postpartum care, we hope you’ll feel prepared and ready to take on motherhood. You got this mama!
Sources:
Ito Y, Konishi A, Okubo M, et al. Safety assessment of the prophylactic use of silicone gel sheets (Lady Care®) for the prevention of hypertrophic scars following caesarean section. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2021;41(3):380-384. doi:10.1080/01443615.2020.1852540
Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: ACOG Committee Opinion, Number 804. Obstet Gynecol. 2020;135(4):e178-e188. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003772
Stevens J, Schmied V, Burns E, Dahlen H. Immediate or early skin-to-skin contact after a Caesarean section: a review of the literature. Matern Child Nutr. 2014;10(4):456-473. doi:10.1111/mcn.12128
Zeng AM, Nami NF, Wu CL, Murphy JD. The Analgesic Efficacy of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents (NSAIDs) in Patients Undergoing Cesarean Deliveries: A Meta-Analysis. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2016;41(6):763-772. doi:10.1097/AAP.0000000000000460